Terror Train | | Cast : | Ben Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis | | Director : | Roger Spottiswoode | | Studio : | Fox Home Entertainme | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen | | Released Date : | October 03, 1980 | | DVD Released Date : | September 07, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 30, 2005 | | Summary | Pretty lame | Content
 | It was a copy of Halloween and it used Jamie Lee Curtis to make some money it was confusing and was written verry messy just see this movie and you will see what I mean |
| Rating | | | Date | July 12, 2005 | | Summary | A train wreck | Content
| Before writing a review for "Terror Train," I decided to peruse Jamie Lee Curtis's filmography to test out a theory. I believed that the atrociousness of "Terror Train" likely was the straw that broke the camel's back, thus leading this actress away from her horror film roots and into new territory that she would subsequently mine quite successfully for the next twenty plus years. I think my theory proves correct, at least in part. Before making this movie, Curtis starred in "Halloween," "The Fog," and "Prom Night." After "Terror Train," she made "Halloween II." And that was it as far as horror went until she reprised her role as Laurie Strode in a couple of the latter stage "Halloween" sequels in 1998 and 2002. I compliment her for moving beyond what was obviously posing a grave threat to her burgeoning career, namely her status as a slasher scream queen. If she had kept making horror movies, perhaps starring in a "Terror Train 2" or something similar, we would be reading about her in one of those "Where are they now?" articles. Don't get me wrong; I like Curtis's horror film portrayals in "Halloween" and "The Fog." What I don't like are films like "Terror Train."
A truly unimaginative slasher, "Terror Train" sets up its premise early on. A bunch of college freshmen--Alana Maxwell (Curtis), Doc Manley (Hart Bochner), and a couple of other bland faces I can't place at the moment--play a particularly nasty prank on one Kenny Hampson (Derek McKinnon), a geek whose demeanor and appearance practically begs for abuse. Rightly ascertaining that Kenneth hasn't been with a woman, the members of the fraternity he's pledging to send him up to a room where Maxwell awaits his presence. But there's a catch. Alana has no intention of bedding the gullible Kenny, so she hides behind the door to watch him embrace a cadaver those merry fraternity pranksters copped from the medical school. Hampson predictably freaks out, spinning around and around on the bed getting all wrapped up in a bunch of gauzy curtains. Sure, it's a mean spirited prank, but Kenny flips out in a permanent sort of way and heads for a free vacation at the mental motel. Life goes on for Maxwell, Manley, and the rest of the kids involved in the gag until their senior year. It is then that the group rents a train for one last alcohol-fueled bash before moving on with their lives.
How is it possible to stage a bloody massacre in the narrow confines of a train? It's not easy, so director Roger Spottiswoode and writer T. Y. Drake throw in a contrived scenario in which all of the kids don costumes while partying the night away. Ahhh, a costume party! See, this way the killer can wear a mask and go unnoticed while he kills his prey! How clever! Anyway, people start dropping almost immediately, with one kid dying outside in the snow while his friends board the train. Once inside, the movie moves about as fast as the train. We're treated to interminable stretches of mind numbing boredom as the camera moves from group to group for bouts of yawn inducing dialogue. A magician named Ken (David Copperfield) shows up to provide entertainment and look and act weird, and a train conductor called Carne (Ben Johnson) ambles about offering sage advice to anyone who'll listen for more than a second. Occasionally the movie reminds us we're watching a horror movie with a relatively bloodless kill or two, but the murders come too few and far between to help this train wreck. Lots of screaming and running around sends the signal that the film is coming mercifully to a close. The end.
I'd like to advocate a new policy concerning DVDs right now. For films like "Terror Train," I think Congress ought to pass a federal law requiring a sticker attached to the cover of the DVD case that says, "This movie stinks!" That way I can avoid unpleasant experiences like this one and move on the next load of schlock that much faster. Geez, where to start with the terror that is "Terror Train"? Well, the performances are mediocre, with only Jamie Lee and Ben Johnson turning in anything that smacks of a passing resemblance to acting. David Copperfield, I must say, should never, ever consider appearing in another movie. He's about as lifeless as road kill here, and what's up with that haircut? He looks like he's wearing a motorcycle helmet. But it's not just the performances that sink the film; it's the lack of carnage. What is this, a 'PG' rated film? I saw more blood when I skinned my knee back in the third grade than I did anywhere in this mess. If you're looking for an axe in the head, a machete making a meaty thwacking noise as it enters young flesh, or extended periods of arterial splashing...well, look elsewhere because you won't find it here.
The only extra on the disc is a trailer for the film, and for once I'm not complaining. I wouldn't want to listen to a commentary or see behind the scenes footage. The movie is far too boring to merit such special treatment. I planned on giving "Terror Train" one star, but I'm going to kick it up a notch for one scene that actually does manage to work up a bit of suspense and, dare I say, terror. The part in question involves Jamie Lee hiding in a cage screaming her head off while the killer jumps around outside breaking the light fixtures and generally ranting and raving because he can't reach his prey. One scene doesn't redeem the film, however. I recommend giving this one a wide berth--just watch "Halloween" or "The Fog" again if you want to feed your Jamie Lee Curtis cravings.
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| Rating | | | Date | June 23, 2005 | | Summary | Got a whistle?...This movie blows. | Content
| What a cheap ass way of using Jamie Lee's name to draw a crowd. Sure she is cute as hell and has the best set of lungs for a horror movie, but come on, give the film some substance. You have too be an idiot not to realize the killer is the loser they played the joke on in the first 5 minutes. Who cares if he hides behind a mask....WE KNOW! Horrible acting, special effects look like a 5th grader attempted them for a class project, David Copperfield, should have been thrown off the train in the first 10 minutes, what a cheesehead. Is this New Years or Halloween? The back of the dvd differs from the film. I seen this when I was twelve, and even laughed, today, I just felt like I wasted 90 mins. of my life viewing this. Skip this quick bandwagon horror flick and purchase The Fog or Halloween, classic Carpenter films that will leave you stirring, not laughing at the crapy dialogue of this film. By the way, this was Jamies's first film with front booking on the poster and credits. Do you blame a 19 year old for not turning this down? She has proved herself. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 19, 2005 | | Summary | Slow train | Content
| I rented this film to see young people getting stabbed by a madman. There is some of that here, but not enough. Instead you get to see a lot of David Copperfield's magic tricks. He makes cards appear in his hand, he makes a woman float in the air, he puts a cigarette through a coin, and so on. I think I want my money back.
The film begins with a cruel prank that some medicine students do to one of their classmates. Three years later they go on a train to celebrate new year's eve. On the train people start to get killed. One would think that everything taking place on a train would give you a claustrofobic feeling, but that is not used at all. It hardly ever even feels narrow. That's a waste. Why let the action take place on a train if there is no difference?
There is virtaully no action apart from the murders. One just waits for the killer to strike, there is nothing else to look forward to. No one has any plans, and apart from people talking (about nothing) or making out, no one is doing anything. Well, David Copperfield is of course making his tricks, and people watch him, but the only thing that is really moving in any direction is the train.
The music to the film doesn't sound very 80's. It sounds more like an older horror film and it's rather annoying. On the other hand it's fun to hear the band on the train play their late 70's/early 80's music. Too bad it's not the band's music you here when the killer is doing his business.
If you want to see what Jamie Lee Curtis was doing between Halloween and Halloween 2, I guess this is the answer. She plays a really sweet character in this film. But that may be the only good reason to watch it. It just feels so slow. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 02, 2005 | | Summary | Terror Train (1980) | Content
| Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Ben Johnson, Hart Bochner, David Copperfield.
Running Time: 97 minutes.
Rated R for violence, language, nudity, and some gore.
Jamie Lee Curtis returns once again in this early 1980's rip-off of the highly successful independent film "Halloween". The basic principle of this slasher flick is archaic, taking place on a New Year's Eve party train hosted by a college fraternity. Everyone is having a great time and living the night up until bodies start piling up. Ben Johnson and Jamie Lee Curtis head the bunch of hunted victims who embarrassed the shameful killer years before, who happens to be back now to endure his revenge.
Similar to the likes of "Black Christmas" and "Halloween", "Terror Train" does not use huge amounts of gory violence to get its thrills, but instead implements stylish camera angles that enhance the jolts and jumps when the killer appears. Magician David Copperfield guest stars as a traveling magical showman who has more to do with the murders than first believed. Curtis is only tolerable in her role and the subplots are predictable and somewhat tedious; however, director Roger Spottiswoode succeeds in producing some extremely exciting chase scenes that unfold to a surprising, intense climax. Will certainly be enjoyed by fans of the genre and males who want to get a cute date to snuggle closer.
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